We try to keep our ears trained to the scuttlebutt of junior surfing. And right now, the talk around the water cooler (read contest tents) is centered around one name: Matt Meola. He's regarded by many as one of the most progressive surfers alive today. Period. With that statement, we thought it wise to catch up with Matt and find out what makes him punt.

In the past year, you've really begun to make a name for yourself. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Matt Meola. I was born here in Maui, Hawaii and I am 20 years young. I grew up in Haiku but spent most of my time in a small beach town called Kuau, where my friends and I used to meet up every day to go surf and be groms. As for school, I switched back and forth between home and public but ended up graduating from home school in 2007. Now I am still living in Haiku and doing my best to keep up with all the rest of the talented surfers coming from Maui.

You're regarded as being one of the most talented and progressive young surfers coming out of Hawaii these days. Being from Maui, with a whole host of guys now at the forefront of surfing, would you say those guys paved the way for you?

I am so lucky to have such great people and surfers to look up to. Guys like Hank Gaskell, Ola Eleogram, and Ian Walsh definitely paved a solid road for us to follow. They are the ones that put Maui on the map and I feel like it is our job to keep it there. They definitely made it possible for all of us and I think we owe them tons of respect.

Can you describe the surf scene on Maui? How is it similar to the rest of the islands? And maybe more importantly, how is different?

The surf scene on Maui is great. It's mellow and has a more country vibe to it than somewhere like Oahu. At times it can be difficult. We do not have the consistency of the other islands due to the strong wind and smaller outer islands blocking swell. We get our fair share of bad waves. Unlike The North Shore of Oahu, when there is swell you are stuck with a decision to to turn right or left. You could spend hours driving just to find out that the other side of the island was firing. Aside from that, the surf scene on Maui is home to my favorite waves and people in the world and I wouldn't trade it for anywhere else.

Why do you think so many good surfers are coming out of Maui these days?

We are all a tight group of friends that push each other. We also have good people to look up to. Other than that, I don't know. Maybe its something in the water we drink.

Would you say that Maui has the best crop of young surfers in the world right now?

There are so many good surfers all over the world now, but when it comes down to it I guess Maui takes the cake for best crop of young up-and-comers. Being an island in the middle of the Pacific, there isn't much to do here besides surf. I think that's why Maui's talent pool is so deep.

Not too long ago, you were featured in the NYtimes' website about aerial surfing alongside Christian Fletcher and Slater. Was that a trip to see yourself in the mix with those guys?

When I first saw the article I was baffled. To hear my name listed next to people that I have looked up to forever was an honor. It was definitely a huge confidence booster.

Are you planning on entering the Kustom Airstrike event?

The Kustom Airstrike is always in the back of my mind every session. Watching Dusty win it last year was sick. Time is ticking down so hopefully I can bag a keeper before the time is up. It would be awesome to keep that title on Maui.

In your eyes, who's the most progressive surfer alive right now?

In my eyes the most progressive surfer alive right now is Clay Marzo. I have the privilege of watching him surf at his homebreaks and some of the stuff he does just leaves me boggled.

And in five years, what do you expect progressive surfing to look like?

If you would have asked me this question five years ago I would never have thought it would have escalated to where it is now. After seeing how fast it's progressing, I'm guessing there will be all kinds of flips and spins going down that we couldn't even imagine. Where ever it goes, I hope to be a part of it.

Matt Meola - Planet Air from franck berthuot on Vimeo.